The Sprint HTC EVO 4G Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 28, 2010 6:04 PM ESTThe Keyboard
In my Incredible review I praised HTC for improving upon the prediction algorithm used by Google in the default Android keyboard. Overall, I felt it was a better keyboard. Brian Klug, our resident smartphone editor, politely disagreed with me in a recent article (he even asked if it was ok to disagree with me. It is). Brandon Hill, former AnandTech News Editor and current DailyTech Editor in Chief, also complained about the HTC Sense keyboard. Their complaints weren’t about the text prediction, but rather the overwhelming nature of the keyboard.
The default HTC keyboard is just very busy. The EVO 4G is actually worse here because it also integrates arrow keys into the keyboard. It gets even worse once you start typing because the autocorrect dictionary pops up and further crowds the screen.
While the overwhelming keyboard layout can be, well, overwhelming, I find that it’s something I can easily get used to once I figure out where all of the keys are. If you just can’t deal with the EVO 4G’s keyboard you can always switch to a different keyboard. Android supports the use of whatever third party virtual keyboard software you want, there’s even a good summary of the top available options today at .com.
The larger screen makes the keys on the virtual keyboard bigger. As a result typing on the EVO 4G is faster for me than any other Android phone.
The trick to the HTC Sense keyboard, particularly on the EVO, is to make sure you stay focused on your thumbs and the keys themselves while you type. If you focus on the live dictionary that appears over what you’re typing or let your focus wander elsewhere it quickly becomes an overwhelming experience. There’s simply too much going on at once. This works fine for me since that’s what I end up doing anyway and I do appreciate the live dictionary that I can choose from and automatically add to while I type. However I can empathize with those who don’t like the crowded keyboard. Functionally it works, but if HTC wants to improve the experience I would recommend focusing reducing the noise. A keyboard should be a simple thing.
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DigitalFreak - Monday, June 28, 2010 - link
Problem is, no one knows when the EVO will be getting the 2.2 upgrade. Sometime this year is the only official word.finbarqs - Monday, June 28, 2010 - link
The "choppiness" and/or "lagginess" during scrolls is due to one MAJOR flaw in the EVO 4G Design:30 FPS cap!
our favorite XDA developers found a way around it on some EVO's with the proper hardware...
MrBrownSound - Monday, June 28, 2010 - link
Hopefully Froyo will sway people to take a second look at evo.alfredska - Monday, June 28, 2010 - link
Little late to the game with an EVO 4G review aren't we? Engadget and others already have quite comprehensive reviews.RamarC - Monday, June 28, 2010 - link
I just got an evo today and I like it. Since I have 4 phones on a family plan (including a hero and moment), I'm married to Sprint. And since all 4 only cost $170 a month (with unlimited text n data), the price is too good to consider a divorce. Performance is good and it meets my expectations. Comparatively it might be a bit lacking, but it's a good upgrade to anyone who doesn't have/want an iPhone.MrX8503 - Monday, June 28, 2010 - link
Awesome review Anand, I wish I was able to hold off on buying cellphones before your review as it would of helped a great deal.After buying the EVO, I also noticed the lag and performance issues. People thought I was crazy and most review sites don't even mention this. A lot of other tech sites get their reviews out quick, but none of them are as thorough as yours or pick up the little details.
nkf - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - link
While the default keyboard on the EVO is pretty good (big screen helps), you might like to try out the Swype beta. Usual disclaimers (yes, it's a beta. no, I have nothing to do with swype except as a user, etc, etc).Have had it for a few days now (on the recommendation of some other android owners), and it has sped up my typing and accuracy by a huge amount.
mrdeez - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - link
I have had the Evo since day one and haven't noticed any lag whatsoever...I don't know what phone your talking about but this one loads pages fast and have had no lagg issues on mine...I'm stock with Advance Task Killer and some games and apps 2.1...What I like:
Speed
Screen
Speech to text
Camera and camcorder
Android
Options Galore
Its not an iphone
What I don't like:
Screen sometimes too sensitive
Music player is too low
Paying for 4g-don't have it...aah the cost of early adoption!
This is my first android phone and I left apple pho..I mean at&t because I was tired of waiting for a android phone......I'm very happy with sprint.
t13190 - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - link
Just wanted everyone to know that as of now a Sprint/Clear is limiting 4G upload speed to 1Mbps until they get more bandwidth availableDeusfaux - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - link
You might find the HTC Desire to be the right mix of what you're looking for in a phone. It's the 4th pillar, if you consider you've looked at the top HTC Android phones for the other 3 big networks.Should be out in a month or so.
Also, how does one go about emailing or contacting you about something else?